The Road Safety Operation Centre (RSOC) has reported 27 deaths and 174 injuries from 175 road accidents on 4 January 2026, marking day six of the New Year road safety campaign. The figures bring the cumulative toll over six days to 241 deaths, 1,313 injuries and 1,364 accidents nationwide. Authorities have instructed all provinces to continue strict law enforcement and traffic management as return travel continues.

The update was announced at 10.15am on 5 January 2026 at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM). The reporting period covers the New Year campaign from 30 December 2025 to 5 January 2026, under the slogan “Drive Safely, Reduce Speed, Reduce Accidents.” Officials noted that while most people have already returned to Bangkok and major provinces, some travellers remain in transit.

According to the RSOC, the leading causes of accidents on 4 January were speeding at 32.57% and cutting in at close range at 30.86%. Motorcycles were involved in 68.58% of cases, with most accidents occurring on straight roads at 84.57%. The highest-risk time was between 9.01am and 12.00pm, accounting for 17.71% of incidents.

National highways accounted for 49.14% of accidents, while roads within subdistricts or villages made up 22.29%. The most affected age group among the injured and deceased was 20–29 years, representing 18.91%. Narathiwat recorded the highest number of accidents and injuries on the day, with 12 cases and 12 injured, while Phetchabun reported the highest number of deaths at three.

Picture courtesy of DDPM

Cumulative figures over six days show Phuket with the highest number of accidents at 50 and injuries at 53. Bangkok recorded the highest cumulative death toll with 20 fatalities, while seven provinces reported zero deaths.

Mr Sorrat Wongskulvivat, Deputy Director-General of the DDPM, said provinces have been ordered to maintain checkpoints, rest areas and enforcement against speeding and driver fatigue. Agencies are also inspecting public transport drivers, vehicles and safety systems, while assisting passengers stranded at bus terminals, airports, ports and railway stations.

Authorities warned of possible flooding from high tides over the next 24 hours in Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Songkhram and Bangkok. Motorists are advised to avoid flood-prone routes and exercise extra caution.

Picture courtesy of DDPM

Key Takeaways

• Thailand recorded 27 road deaths on day six of the New Year safety campaign, with 241 fatalities over six days.

• Speeding and close-range cutting in remain the leading causes, with motorcycles involved in most accidents.

• Authorities continue strict enforcement and travel assistance as normal workdays resume.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from DDPM 2026-01-05

 

 

So, pretty much around the national annual average.

4 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

So, pretty much around the national annual average.

Yes, a big improvement on previous holidays. 👏

Any increase over average is typically due to more traffic on the roads.

AI has this to say after analysing a few years.......

Percentage Difference

• If we take 278 deaths (Songkran 2025) vs 343 expected:

278−343343×100≈−19%

→ about 19% lower than the annual average.

• If we take 400 deaths (upper range) vs 343 expected:

400−343343×100≈+17%

→ about 17% higher than the annual average.

⚠️ Key Insight

• The “7 Dangerous Days” are not massively higher than the annual average — they are roughly comparable.

• What makes them stand out is the concentration and visibility: the government tracks them intensely, and the causes (alcohol, speeding, fatigue) are highly preventable.

• In public perception, they feel worse because the media reports daily tallies, whereas normal weeks pass without such focus.

✅ In summary: The “7 Dangerous Days” usually fall within ±20% of the annual average weekly toll. Sometimes slightly higher (≈+17%), sometimes lower (≈−19%), but always concentrated and highly visible.

Wash, repeat at every national holiday...

Just weeding out the gene pool.